THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (II)

Limitations on the applicability of provisions As a general matter of Netherlands Antilles law, the interpretation of terms contained in legal documents, such as the articles of association and the by-laws, however only to a certain extent, inter alia subject to the intention of the parties, and the enforcement thereof, is subject to the overriding… Continue reading THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (II)

THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (I)

Ranging from basic to extremely complex Under the laws of the Netherlands Antilles, public and private limited liability companies (NVs or BVs), foundations, co-operatives, mutual insurance societies and associations are considered legal entities. The articles of incorporation (a.k.a. articles of association) provide the regulatory framework by which these legal entities in the Netherlands Antilles are… Continue reading THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (I)

AMSTERDAM COURT OF APPEAL ON LIABILITY OF TRUST DIRECTORS

Trust directors not treated differently from regular directors The board of directors of an NV or BV may contractually agree to a limitation of its powers to manage the company. Such arrangements are typical for trust offices engaged by a foreign ultimate beneficiary to render services to ‘his’ company, i.e. the client of a trust… Continue reading AMSTERDAM COURT OF APPEAL ON LIABILITY OF TRUST DIRECTORS

CROSS-BORDER CONVERSIONS AND MERGERS IN THE DUTCH ANTILLES

No outbound mergers allowed According to the laws of the Netherlands Antilles, a limited liability company (NV or BV) may convert to a foreign legal entity provided that under the laws governing such a foreign legal entity the consequence of such conversion shall be the continued existence of the company as a legal entity –… Continue reading CROSS-BORDER CONVERSIONS AND MERGERS IN THE DUTCH ANTILLES

BEARER SHARES IN A NETHERLANDS CARIBBEAN COMPANY

Registered shares must be issued first On 1 March 2004, the new Netherlands Antilles act on corporate law (Book 2 Civil Code) became effective. Since that date it is no longer possible to (directly) issue bearer shares. A company with only bearer shares has no shareholders’ register. Only a public limited liability company (NV) may… Continue reading BEARER SHARES IN A NETHERLANDS CARIBBEAN COMPANY

THE REPAYMENT OF SHARE PREMIUM IN THE NETHERLANDS CARIBBEAN

Net equity may not be or become negative From the legal point of view in Netherlands Antilles, share premium (’agio’) forms part of the company’s free reserves, and does not qualify as share capital. If share premium is to be repaid, the company’s financial condition should at the time allow for it, i.e. the net… Continue reading THE REPAYMENT OF SHARE PREMIUM IN THE NETHERLANDS CARIBBEAN

THE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS OF LARGE DUTCH CARIBBEAN COMPANIES

Stricter rules for large companies Under Netherlands Antilles law the annual accounts of limited liability companies which do not qualify as so called large companies, need to be prepared in accordance with generally accepted standards and shall provide sufficient insight as to enable a sound judgment to be formed regarding the assets and the results… Continue reading THE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS OF LARGE DUTCH CARIBBEAN COMPANIES

CONVERSION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

An NV may be converted into a BV and vice versa The Netherlands Antilles Civil Code provides for an NV to be converted into a BV and vice versa. Conversion does not terminate the existence of the legal entity. Conversion requires a resolution. A resolution to convert and to amend the articles has to be… Continue reading CONVERSION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

TRANSACTIONAL POWER OF THE MANAGING BOARD OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN CORPORATION (I)

Limitations must be disclosed to have effect Netherlands Antilles law provides that, subject to restrictions laid down by the Netherlands Antilles Corporate Code or a corporation’s articles of association, the board of directors of a corporation shall be competent to represent the corporation, e.g. a limited liability company (‘naamloze of besloten vennootschap’; NV or BV).… Continue reading TRANSACTIONAL POWER OF THE MANAGING BOARD OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN CORPORATION (I)

MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION OF THE ARUBA COMPANY WITH LIMITED LIABILITY

A local representative is required On January 1, 2009 the new Aruba Ordinance on companies with limited liability (vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid; VBA) became effective. The Board of Directors is responsible for the management of the VBA and is authorized to represent it, with the exception of any restrictions in the articles of association. The… Continue reading MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION OF THE ARUBA COMPANY WITH LIMITED LIABILITY

THE SHAREHOLDERS REGISTER OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Shareholders may inspect the register Every shareholder of a Netherlands Antilles NV or BV may inspect the register of the company regarding the shares held by them. The articles of association of a particular company may confer the right for inspection on others. In most cases a shareholder may however only inspect the register of… Continue reading THE SHAREHOLDERS REGISTER OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

STATUTORY MERGERS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

A notarial deed is required A statutory merger involves at least two legal entities. The law uses the terms acquiring and disappearing legal entity. The law specifies that only legal entities having the same legal form may merge, specifying that a BV (closed limited liability company) and a NV (public limited liability company) are considered… Continue reading STATUTORY MERGERS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN